Cassendre Xavier Inspiration

$375
of $1,000 goal

Artists have patrons, organizations do annual fundraisers, and some folks are and do both!

Hello!THE FACTOIDS!"Inspiration 2017 - Cassendre Xavier" is a fundraising campaign for a beloved community artist who, with her award-winning work, inspires audiences to better living! Your funds will help support Cassendre who creates work of lasting value to people who struggle with issues of: mental health, abuse/addiction/recovery/sobriety, homelessness, becoming successful as an artist or creative persun, reaching personal goals, finding the love of your life, and becoming healthier through raw food.

THE DEETS!My name is Cassendre Xavier and I have been creating art works for inspiration and community building in Philadelphia since 1991. I consider myself a multi-media healing artist (bipolar/PTSD, sexual abuse survivor, binge eater). I am a singer-songwriter, recording artist, multi-genre writer, and community cultural arts events organizer.. I've released 7 musical albums, 2 guided meditation albums, 1 play, 4 chapbooks, 1 book, and founded 2 events, the Women's Writing & Spoken Word Series (est. 2008) and the Black Women's Arts Festival (est. 2003). I created several peer support groups, including Artists in Motion (support for creative types), Sisters Healing Together (incest survivors with eating disorders), and a raw vegan support group. Through the years, I have shared my tools for living through challenges (including life!) with my audience, and along the way have earned income via: day/survival jobs, gigs, event production, product sales, fundraising, and grants (including $15,000 Leeway Transformation Award, which funds women and trans artists creating art for social change). I am inspired by fundraising campaigns for folks who are going through a struggle and simultaneously doing their work. My bipolar and PTSD have advanced over the years and affected my ability to earn a living without additional fundraising. I became homeless years ago and spent a year in a shelter, and then almost another year sleeping on public transportation and in motel rooms. Throughout, I have continued to produce the Black Women's Arts Festival (the 11th BWAF is Sat-Sun Sept. 30, Oct 1 2017 at The Rotunda in West Philly), write my inspiration column at Wisdom-Magazine.com and host my Free, 24-hour Inspiration Line 215-552-8850. A recent GoFundMe allowed me to live more comfortably for a few months and now am staying with a sweetie I was dating. So I am much more comfortable, but needing to raise funds to live on my own, while I establish new ways of earning a living, since after several years of trying, I have decided not to keep trying social services anymore to try to meet my housing needs. I believe that having returned to YouTube and sharing my inspiration for all late bloomers and people living with great challenges, getting back to songwriting and working on my next book(s) will grow the income sources that have supported me in the past.

Funds will be used for:HousingTransportationNutritional Supplements (for better mental health)Rental of space for workshops (on the subjects I write about, such as inspiration, soulmate attraction, raw foods, spirituality, sexuality, etc.)Recording studio fees (to create more musical and spoken word albums)Consultant fees (for self-publishing) I need the funds as soon as possible because my funds for weekly public transportation passes are quickly dwindling. (I am staying in the suburbs and need to get to town several days a week to staff an all volunteer space I have used as my office since the death of my partner in 2013.) The $10,000 I am asking for is the total sum I need throughout 2017. Receiving this support means so much to me as it would mean that you believe in my work and that it helps people. Various artists have expressed appreciation for my work. Alex Kudera has used "Happy to be Alive" in his classes and presentations. Brook Woolf says, "I love your musical mantras and have sang them during some really low points. You have inspired so many people. 'I absolutely love my life Everything gets better all the time' ;)" I am super grateful for the opportunity to experience life and do my work. With your help, I can do more of it, and do it better, and more comfortably. Not only would I be so grateful for your help, but so would those whom I am here to serve.

Thank you so much for your continued support of my art/work, and therefore life!

H, folks!
I am so excited to share today's Broad Street Review feature article on the 12th Annual Black Women's Arts Festival (Pictured: Official BWAF logo) happening this weekend! Producer Amor La Luna radiantly and powerfully shone in her answers to the interview questions as you'll see below. She tentatively will be on WURD FM tonight at 8pm, interviewed by radio show host Keaton Nichols.
Thank you all for your continued support of my art/work, and therefore, life! Hope you can attend this weekend (incidentally, I'll be singing on Saturday at 6:25pm, and be selling my CDs, chapbooks, and buttons), but if we don't see you, have an excellent weekend!
(Special thanks to Gina Renzi of The Rotunda, and Alexis Buss of Bindlestiff Books!)

The 12th Annual Black Women’s Arts Festival(BWAF) comes to the Rotunda on Walnut Street this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16 from 1-9pm. This totally free festival is a showcase of multi-media arts performances and exhibitions by self-identified black women featuring music, spoken word/poetry, dance, films, theater, visual and healing arts, and lectures.

Libations, history, dance, fashion, and more

“This year we open our doors with the ancient African tradition of commencing a Libations Ceremony, where we honor the ancestors, orchestrated by Chief Priest Olakunle Oludina of [Wilmington’s] Ile Igoke Yoruba Temple,” explains Amor La Luna, this year’s festival producer.

“Other great highlights of this year include Dr. Daisy Century of the American Historical Theater portraying Harriet Tubman, an introduction to belly dancing class, an African fashion show by Jahzara! Fashion Alchemy and so much more.” The complete schedule can be found on the BWAF Facebook page and images of the artists are featured on the festival’s Instagram.

Spaces for black women

La Luna was clear about the need for this kind of festival.

“Simply, and not so simply put, there are not a lot of spaces for just black women artists in the art scene,” she says. “Sure, we're out here performing, speaking, hosting, creating, directing, producing, coordinating, organizing, running businesses, et cetera…but, sometimes, the voices of black women become muddled or overlooked in places where they should be heard, or even encouraged to be seen.”

Black women face negative stereotypes on a daily basis, so BWAF and other similar current or past events are important, she continues. That’s because “when you can see someone else relate, or share your experiences, that creates a powerful feeling. Platforms for just black women artists change the conversation and introduce new ideas, especially in spaces that are heavily male-dominated.”

“All respectful persons are welcome”

The festival directors are clear that this is an event that welcomes everyone, and they have designed the festival to feel inclusive on many different levels.

“Since our inception in 2003, we have said, ‘All respectful persons are welcome.’ And we mean it!” says Cassendre Xavier, a multi-media artist who is the BWAF founder and director. She notes that the Rotunda is a wheelchair-accessible space and that BWAF is always chemical-free. The venue is safe for people in recovery: “No alcohol or drugs on the premises, and none are needed because the event is so fun and special!” she explains.

It’s also a kid-friendly event — whole families are encouraged to attend — and there will be plenty of amazing food, provided by Atiya Ola of Spirit First Foods, which according to Xavier is “vegan, raw, or vegetarian, absolutely delicious and served with love!”

And if you get inspired to share your own creativity and art at the festival, there will even be an All-People’s Open Mic that welcomes everyone.

The 12th annual Black Women’s Arts Festival is coming up on September 15 and 16 at the Rotunda (4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia), from 1pm-9pm. It’s free and open to the public.

The Black Women's Arts Festival (BWAF) is an annual showcase of multi-media arts performances and exhibitions by self-identified black women. We have presented music, spoken word/ poetry, dance, films, theater, visual and healing arts, lectures, and more since 2003. This year’s event is brought to you by Cassendre Xavier (founder & director), Amor La Luna (producer), and support from The Rotunda, Bindlestiff Books, and individual donors.

About the Venue

The Rotunda is an acclaimed and beloved community gathering place that is fueled by the belief that art is a catalyst for social change, and that the arts can lead to the formation of meaningful partnerships between the University of Pennsylvania and surrounding neighborhoods. It has been BWAF's primary venue since our inception. Visit www.TheRotunda.org

Volunteers Wanted

To perform various tasks this year or next year (street team/flier distribution, online promotions/social media, graphic design, videography, stage management, and general help at the venue during the festival itself).

Please email, with “Volunteer” in the subject to: BWAFphilly(at)gmail(dot)com

I am happy to share that I will be singing this coming Saturday the 26th at the Lansdowne Farmer's Market!
This is one of my favorite places to be for several reasons and I always have a great time there!
I hope you can make it!

DIRECTIONS:
The Market is in the municipal parking lot on Lansdowne Avenue right across the street from the Historic Lansdowne Theater. Parking is available in the parking lot on Highland Avenue, one block east of Lansdowne Avenue.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:
It is easily accessible from SEPTA Buses 109, 113, 115 and Regional Rail (Media/Elwyn Line to Lansdowne Station).

I would also like to thank all of you who have supported me and wished me well in various ways and kept me in your thoughts, prayers, and positive visualizations. I can feel all of that and I really appreciate you and your efforts!

Stream of consciousness on how I've been:
Recovering, healing, resting, keeping house
Self-care, twice weekly psychotherapy for bipolar 2 and PTSD. Newly diagnosed with binge eating disorder (had it all my life, just dealing with it in therapy now, on the very kind suggestion of a friend).
Gained a lot of weight living with my friend and his daughter, but am making progress in shedding those excess pounds. (I may appear heavier when you see me, depending on when you see me!)
Revisioning my future as an artist and figuring out what to do next. In my 20s I wanted to be a singer-songwriter, in my 30s I wanted to be a writer, and in my 40s, I wanted to be a healer. So in my 40s I attracted a lot of major crises so I could heal myself then share what worked for me. I believe my 50s will be to show what I've learned, and become the artist I was fully meant to be. Whatever THAT is, HA!!!!

First of all, thank you for your donations to my "CX Inspiration 2017" GoFundMe campaign! I have $174 coming to me in a couple of days and thanks to you I have a public transportation pass for the month!!!! Whoo-hoo!!! What peace o' mind, thank you!
I will be writing again soon with updates about that, and what I will be looking to raise for next month.
My main concerns for this month are moving my things out of my soon-to-be former co-working space of 4 1/2 years, and finalizing plans for the 11th Black Women's Arts Festival, Sat-Sun Sept 30-Oct 1 at The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut St, Philadelphia PA 19104, 1pm-9pm both days, Free and open to all respectful persuns.

I am still trying to raise $250 more for this month, so iff'n you're a feelin' inclinatory towards giftation without representation, why I would be most obligerized!

I appreciate your enrolling in the creativity of my life, and thank you for being part of a growing number of renaissance negresse m/patrons!

In other news, Baltimore Ave Dollar Stroll is tonight, Thurs/8th, and my CDs and chapbooks (booklet-type publications) will be available for sale at Bindlestiff Books, 4530 Baltimore Ave, Philadelphia PA 19143. They are sold there year-round, but from 5pm-8pm will be a particularly fun time to go out n' git 'em!